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Stylists can become valuable partners in the fight against melanoma with new "Skinny On Skin" training sessions.

The Melanoma Foundation of New England (MFNE) has developed an innovative program for salon professionals called The Skinny on Skin, which is set to launch this spring. This free educational program calls on medical training methods to teach beauty professionals how to spot suspicious moles on a client's scalp and neck while performing common salon and spa services. After all, as some of the only professionals to closely examine scalps on a regular basis, stylists should be equipped with the skills to spot potential melanoma long before anyone else. The medical professionals leading Skinny on Skin training sessions will also advise stylists on the best ways to speak with their clients after a suspicious mole has been identified.

Launch events (see below) will include The Skinny On Skin training, opportunities for professionals to use MFNE’s UV facial scanner to better detect lurking skin damage, and more. All attendees will receive a healthy skin goody bag with sponsor product samples. The training events will be lead by Dr. Robin L. Travers of SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, MA. Refreshments will be served at all events.

Dermalogica's The International Dermal Institute , a leading educational resource for licensed skin therapists, breaks new ground with a series of Guest Speaker Evenings that will address care for clients who have been diagnosed with cancer of any form.

The traveling “Introduction to Oncology Skin Care” seminar will be presented by IDI Advanced Instructor Sharon Bell. Before joining IDI and launching her own private skincare practice three years ago, Bell worked as a social worker and teacher for 19 years. Her family's experience with cancer led her to become certified in Oncology Esthetics through Touch for Cancer, and she currently treats cancer patients and teaches at The International Dermal Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The purpose of “Introduction to Oncology Skin Care” is to help spa therapists develop specialized skills for the particular needs of clients living with cancer. The presentation canvasses cancer's psychological and emotional impacts for both therapist and client, as well as the many technical contraindications and considerations that arise concerning surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and steroids.

For instance, chemotherapy typically thins and sensitizes the skin, which commonly results in darkened melanin. Radiation patients are at increased risk for developing shingles; this occurs when a dormant chicken pox virus is activated as the immune system becomes compromised.

Medical opinions vary as to which skincare product ingredients are safest in the aftermath of cancer. Further complicating the matter is the social exclusion many cancer patients experience, not to mention obvious signs of its treatment, such as hair loss.

However, “The genius of professional skin care is that the power of human touch is transcendent,” says Annet King, director of global education for IDI. “People with cancer often feel isolated, and their contact with the larger world may diminish. The mission of this new educational series is to enlighten and train professional skin therapists to treat the whole person, not simply the skin. In the context of a life-threatening disease, this level of engagement and connection with a skilled and compassionate skincare professional may be a profoundly healing pathway.”

The next “Introduction to Oncology Skin Care” Guest Speaker Evening event will take place on April 8 in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit www.dermalinstitute.com

Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Mary Tabacchi Scholarship, valued at $5,000.

With the help of the International SPA Association (ISPA) Foundation and a wealth of donations, students interested in pursuing a spa management or spa leadership-related career will be able to achieve their dreams. Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the 2013 Mary Tabacchi Scholarship, now valued at 5,000 USD, having doubled since its inception in 2006.

ISPA President Lynne McNees said, “It is our hope that students touched by these scholarships will not only provide comfort and care to people who need it, but serve as inspirations for others to join the spa profession.”

The scholarship was created in 2006 and named in honor of Mary Tabacchi, Ph.D., RD, Associate Professor, Hospitality Facilities and Operations at Cornell University. Dr. Tabacchi is a beloved spa industry veteran and pioneer in spa education.

The ISPA Foundation's Mary Tabacchi Scholarship will be awarded to a junior, senior or grad student enrolled full-time in a bachelor's or master's program of a related discipline, i.e. business, health science, hospitality or spa management and is pursuing a spa management/spa leadership-related career. The recipient will receive 5,000 USD to offset their education expenses, a complimentary registration, travel stipend and hotel accommodations to attend the 2013 ISPA Conference & Expo, a one-year ISPA Student Membership valued at 130 USD and will be assigned a one-year mentor to help navigate their career aspirations.

Learn more about eligibility requirements and access the scholarship application HERE. The deadline to apply is April 30.

Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) is giving beauty professionals the opportunity to spend some time in the shoes of Zappos employees via the Zappos Corporate Culture Tour on July 16. The online retailer is known internationally for its fun and nurturing corporate culture, which is adopted by many large companies who realize the importance of incorporating this dynamic setting into their own business model. Many industry executives, including beauty CEOs, take the tour of Zappos' Las Vegas headquarters to see what makes this winning formula so successful--and now CPNA has joined the fun.

The event will consist of a 60-minute tour of the Zappos headquarters, where guests will be introduced to various departments. After the tour, Noelle Raezer, senior director of merchandising at Folica.com (online retailer specializing in the hair category), will host a 15-minute Q & A session about Zappos' corporate culture.

Here are the details of CPNA's Zappos Tour:

Zappos Corporate Culture Tour

Date: Tuesday, July 16th

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Cost: PBA members - $125 / Non-members $150

(Bus transportation will be provided, located at the Mandalay Bay Tour & Travel Lobby at lower level)
Organizer: Cosmoprof North America is organized by North American BeautyEvents LLC a joint-venture company between BolognaFiere Group and the Professional Beauty Association

In addition, Lopez will receive the 2013 PBA Beautiful Humanitarian Award during the Ceremony. The award will honor his work with a variety of charitable initiatives. Lopez actively raises awareness and funds for many causes that support the positive and healthy development of children and young adults. For instance, his work as an Alumni Ambassador of Fitness with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), and also with the organization's BE GREAT campaign, has continually helped shed light on the major issues affecting today's young people, including the importance of graduating from high school and that of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition to his work with BGCA, Lopez is a passionate supporter of other organizations, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Community Youth Athletic Center of Chula Vista, Jameson's Army, and Padres Contra el Cancer.

"It is my honor to be able to host the 2013 North American Hairstyling Awards, and I am very humbled to receive the Professional Beauty Association's Beautiful Humanitarian Award," states Lopex. "Beauty professionals help others to look and feel their best, and I applaud their work and talents."

A man of many trades, Lopez is passionate about staying active and engaged with his fans and followers. He is the host of the nationally syndicated daily show EXTRA. Concurrently, Lopez continues his hosting duties on Fox's hit music series The X Factor. He is also the host of the soon-to-be nationwide Clear Channel radio show On with Mario Lopez. Lopez has also taken his love for sports, specifically boxing, to the next level as a recurring commentator on HBO Boxing, and recently produced a documentary based on the sport.

Lopez is also a New York Times bestselling author, thanks to the success of his healthy eating guides, Extra Lean and Extra Lean Family. Additionally, Lopez penned Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness, a bestseller offering readers a look into his impressive workout regime, and Mud Tacos, a children's book he co-authored with his sister Marissa. As a follow-up to Mud Tacos, Lopez released Mario & Baby Gia, a children's book he wrote for his daughter, Gia.

Lopez, who is a part of most every red carpet, mega-event in the entertainment industry and has co-hosted such high-profile affairs as the Miss America pageant, will no doubt lend his experience, charm and wit to this year's pinnacle PBA event.

One lucky Spa Week participant will enjoy a retreat for two at the original Golden Door Spa in Escondido, California.

In anticipation of the 18th edition of National Spa Week, taking place from April 15th – 21st, millions of consumers will visit SpaWeek.com to book special, $50 spa and wellness services. While browsing this Spring's directory of participating Spa Week locations, consumers will also have the opportunity to win the ultimate health and wellness package by entering The EnJOY Feeling Fit & Fab Giveaway.

In honor of this special time when so many people are pro-actively approaching their well-being, the Spa Week team is offering visitors a chance to win a Personalized Slim-Down Plan designed exclusively by Joy Bauer , the TODAY show's famous nutrition expert, plus a Retreat for Two at the prestigious original Golden Door Spa in Escondido, California.

This healthy journey kicks off with an inspirational conference call between the winner and Bauer. Periodic calls from Bauer's team will continue to help the winner stay on track and maintain motivation! Also included in the Personalized Slim-Down Plan: a six month subscription to Joy Bauer’s Online Weight-Loss Plan with access to a personal diet coach, one copy of each of Bauer's’s New York Times best selling books—The Joy Fit Club, Joy Bauer’s Food Cures and Your Inner Skinny—Bauer’s Slimdown Workout DVD, and a premium selection of healthy food goodies hand-picked by the nutrition maven herself. Finally, the winner and guest will retreat to Golden Door Spa where they’ll spend four nights in private accommodations, indulge in relaxing spa services, enjoy access to an extensive menu of fitness classes and a fitness counselor, savor gourmet meals daily, learn healthy cooking techniques and receive a selection of Golden Door recipes to take home.

The spa industry’s best and brightest descended upon Live Love Spa's headquarters in Santa Ana, California on February 23rd to celebrate the launch of the all-new livelovespa.com Online Wellness Community. This interactive website features a collection of mini-sites for spas and brands to showcase their treatments and products.

“We could not have thought of a better way to celebrate than with over 125 of our closest friends, family and industry professionals,” said Lisa Michaelis, Live Love Spa’s founder and CEO. The comapny's three-story loft provided the perfect environment for festivities a taco bar, a dessert table filled with gourmet delicacies and silent auction benefitting the Beauty Bus Foundation and featuring products from Coola, Chadsworth & Haig, Intraceuticals, La Bella Donna, Hydrafacial, Me Bath, Comphy and Sothys. The Live Love Spa team showcased features of the new Live Love Spa website, such those functions allowing users to browse brands and search for their next spa experience via the 8000+ spa directory.

“Livelovespa.com has been a year in the making,” says Michaelis. “Our goal is to engage spas, brands, industry professionals, and consumers on one platform to maximize learning, connection, and visibility. We offer a fresh, fun perspective with our various media outlets including a trend-setting comprehensive blog & LLS - TV. Our vision is to raise customer awareness for spa lifestyle and wellness. We are committed to our client’s experience and providing an online resource that will enhance and inspire their lives.”

Spas and brands can join this community by activating a basic or premium level membership. Premium members receive a microsite to showcase customized photos, video, and wholesale information that they can easily administrate. “Whether it is your first time getting a body treatment and massage, or you are a seasoned spa professional, livelovespa.com is the perfect place to go to learn about exclusive spas and the finest product lines in the market place,” said Paul Heslop, Chief Care office of Salt of the Earth and featured brand on Livelovespa.com.